Aanleg van nieuwe vestingswerken te Bergen in Henegouwen, ter ere van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1825

This medal, commemorating construction work in Bergen, was made by an anonymous artist, using die-struck silver. The material itself speaks to power and status. Silver has long been associated with wealth, and the act of striking a medal—compressing the metal to record an image—lends a sense of permanence and authority. The image of Willem I Frederik, King of the Netherlands, further reinforces these themes. The medal’s creation also speaks to craft traditions; die-striking requires specialized tools and skilled labor. The process involves creating a hardened die with a recessed image, which is then pressed into the metal blank with great force, transferring the design. Consider how this mode of production influences our perception of the work. The sharp, precise lines and standardized form are products of industrialization, a departure from the more hands-on, individualized processes of earlier coin and medal making. The repetitive nature of die-striking also hints at the broader social context, the rise of mass production, and the increasing importance of standardization in a rapidly changing world. By considering these aspects of material, making, and context, we can better appreciate how this medal functions not just as a historical record, but also as a reflection of the social and economic forces at play.